07/09/2015 Wolverine Fire AM update

Location: Approximately 3 miles northwest of Lucerne, Washington

Start Date: June 29, 2015

Size: 314 acres                                         

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Lightning                                                  

Personnel Assigned: 117

Vegetation: Timber                                                           

Growth Potential: Medium

Notice: Hikers and backpackers need to be aware that trails leading into Holden Village are temporarily closed while Holden Village is at a Level 2 evacuation notification.  If planning a visit to the Holden area, please check Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4354/ prior to your departure or call the Chelan Ranger District (509) 682-4900 for specific information.

Summary:

Fire activity was moderate on the Wolverine Creek Fire on Wednesday, even though temperatures increased and humidity decreased from the two previous days. Fire crews have nearly completed roadside preparation along Holden Village Road (FR 8301) from Lucerne Landing to about mile post 5 in preparation for potential fire movement down lake. Crews will begin staging fire hose along that line should it be needed in future days.  Crews also placed structure protection equipment at Lucerne and northward at locations next to Lake Chelan.

The thunderstorm that moved through Lake Chelan area Tuesday evening ignited four new small fires. All four were suppressed by firefighters, who were able to contain them before they grew. Fire managers continue to monitor for additional new fire starts and will utilize crews assigned to the Wolverine Fire to assist the Chelan District with initial attack should more lightning ignitions occur.

For precautionary reasons, the Chelan County Sheriff has issued a Level 2 evacuation notification for Holden Village and Lucerne.  The Level 2 notification was issued primarily due to the single road access into Holden Village from Lucerne and potential impacts from the fire to the evacuation route should fire behavior increase and prevailing winds push the fire eastward.  A Level 2 evacuation means “be ready”.

Neither Holden Village nor Lucerne are presently threatened by the Wolverine Fire.

Refrigerator Harbor Campground at Lucerne remains open to the public as does the Pacific Crest Trail, which passes to west of Holden.

No structures have been burned.

Resources Assigned: 

Two 20-person hotshot crews and two 20-person initial attack crews.

One light and one heavy Type 1 Sky Crane helicopter

Four boats